Motif

**Motif: ** >
 * **Pronunci​ation: ** It is pronounced (mo-teef)
 * **Definition:** a recurring object, concept, or structure in a work of literature. A motif may also be two contrasting elements in a work, such as good and evil.

__**The Awakening**__  In __The Awakening__ by Kate Chopin one of the motifs within the novel are the children. Although the children in the novel are not major characters they are still able to help develop the story; Edna Pontellier is metaphorically related to a child as she goes through her awakening.

"She went on and on. She remembered the night she swam far out, and recalled the terror that seized her at the fear of being unable to regain the shore. She did not look back now, but went on and on, thinking of the blue-grass meadow that she had traversed when a little child, believing that it had no beginning and no end . . . She thought of Leonce and the children. They were a part of her life. But they need not have thought that they could posses her," (Ch. XXXIX, 156).

Throughout the novel Edna is related to a child as she starts to embark on her awakening. In this quote Edna has, at this point in the novel, realized that she is connected to her children in a way that makes them a part of her forever, unlike her bond with Mr. Pontellier which can be revocable.

__**To Kill a Mockingbird **__

 In __To Kill a Mockingbird__ by Harper Lee one of the motifs in the novel is the gothic details, like that of Boo Radley and the sudden snowfall the overcomes the town. Gothic literature: is a genre of literature that combines elements of both horror and romance "Boo was sitting in the livingroom cutting some items from //The Maycomb Tribune// to paste in his scrapbook. His father entered the room. As Mr. Radley passed by, Boo drove the scissors into his parent's leg, pulled them out, wiped them on his pants, and resumed his activities," (Ch.1, 11).

"Tim Johnson was advancing at a snail's pace, but he was not playing or sniffing at foliage; he seemed dedicated to one course and motivated by an individual force that was inching him toward us.We could see him shiver like a horse shedding flies; his jaw opened and shut; he was alist, but he was being pulled gradially toward us," (Ch. 10, 95).

The first quote describes ho​w the children perci​eve Boo Radley from what they've heard. This illustrates an out of place character within the small placid town of Maycomb, giving a more intriguing factor to the story.

The second quote deals with a dog that the town knows as Tim Johnson, the dog one day wanders onto the Finch's street and is soon noticed and confronted by Atticus who then shoots the mad dog in the head. This is another u​nusual occurance, where Jem and Scout observe as Tim Johnson makes his slow progression down their street and Atticus arriving and putting the dog down, this event causes the children to see Atticus in another light.




 * __The Grapes of Wrath __**

In __The Grapes of Wrath__ the motif within the novel is that of leadership structure, changing from the traditional family structure that is shown at the beginning of the novel to the point where the mother, in this case Ma, takes control.

"Ma stepped in front of him, "I ain't a-gonna go." What you mean, you ain't gonna go? You got to go. You got to look after the family." Pa was amazed at the revolt. Ma stepped to the touring car and reached in on the floor of the back seat. She brought out a jack handle and balanced it in her hand easily, "I ain't a-goona go," she said. "I tell you, you got go go. We made up our mind." And now Ma's mouth set har. She said softly, "On'y way you gonna get me to go is whup me." She moved the jack handle gently again, "An' I'll sham you, Pa. I won't take no whuppin', cryin' an' a-beggin', I'll light into you. An' you ain't so sure you can whup me anyways. An' if ya do get me, I swear to God I'll wait till you got your back turned, or you're settin' down, an' I'll knock you belly-up with a bucket I swear to Holy Jesus' sake I will". . . The eyes of the whole family shifted back to Ma. She was the power. She had taken control," (Ch.17, 239-231).

This passage displays the instant when Ma finally takes charge, this shocks Pa as well as the rest of the family, however he retires from his role as leader and this allows Ma to take over. Throughout the novel she begins to make more decisions and becomes the backbone of the family as she tries to keep everyone together and happy, even though she is unsuccessful.